Preseason poll: Parrish Alford’s reaction

What’s interesting about the Rebels’ No. 18 position in the Associated Press preseason poll is the position of those around them. If Ole Miss is to rise in the SEC West, LSU and Texas A&M are considered the candidates to slide due to attrition at key positions, quarterback and others. LSU is No. 13 and A&M is No. 21.

The Rebels’ first three opponents – Boise State, Vanderbilt and Louisiana-Lafayette – did not make the poll cut, but all are in the receiving votes category.

Rankings have always been for entertainment, and never has that been more true than with a playoff in place for this season.

Still, it will be fun in the first few weeks to see how the Rebels measure up against SEC name brand teams and if this team truly has the goods to climb within its division.